Housing and maintenance issues in Belgium and the NL

Reports from Belgium and the Netherlands highlight ongoing challenges regarding hazardous materials and property maintenance. In Belgium, asbestos removal faced delays in Kapelle-op-den-Bos due to a temporary suspension of subsidies, though collection services have since resumed. In the Netherlands, the municipality of Raalte has implemented an ‘asbestos-free shed week’ to assist residents with remediation, as the province of Overijssel continues to manage approximately 40,000 suspected asbestos roofs.

Separate disputes have emerged regarding the habitability of residential properties. In Belgium, a social housing tenant in Lier reported that her unit was declared unfit for habitation following severe moisture damage and incomplete electrical repairs. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, a court of appeal ruled against a foundation attempting to evict a tenant in Zaandam. The court determined that landlords are responsible for addressing serious defects, such as leaks and mold, even in older buildings, rejecting the claim that the tenant was responsible for renting a dilapidated property.